The 2025 MCEC GTS – Atlanta Distinguished Lecture series offered a comprehensive lineup of sessions designed to empower educators, families, and community members in supporting the academic and personal growth of military-connected students. These sessions delivered practical advice, real-world examples, and a platform for sharing experiences.
Compact 201: Engage, Learn, Apply
Lindsey M. Dablow
Training and Operations Associate, Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3)
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Lindsey M. Dablow
Ms. Dablow has served as the Training and Operations Associate of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) since 2018 and has over 19 years in state government, private and non-profit management.
In her role as Training and Operations Associate, she promotes “successful educational transitions” for military-connected students around the world providing training and new initiatives for the Commission. Born and raised in Kentucky, Lindsey graduated from Midway College with a Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies and a Master of Public Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has performed a variety of roles with Baptist Health Foundation Lexington, Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, and within Kentucky’s thoroughbred industry. She and her husband Brian reside in Lawrenceburg, KY.
An interactive, hands-on session using real-world case studies to apply the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children — what it covers, where the gray areas are, and how tech can help (or hinder) during PCS transitions.
Key takeaways
Uniform treatment for enrollment, placement, eligibility, and graduation; know when rules apply — and when they don’t.
Course placement, credits earned in 8th grade, extracurricular eligibility, and graduation waivers all have Compact guidance.
Work the process: School Liaisons + State Commissioners + MIC3 resources resolve tricky cases quickly.
Try this next:
MIC3 toolkits, videos, and the online training portal at mic3.net.
MTSS: Leading Efficient Systems, Building Stronger Schools
Dr. Jason Pederson, NCSP
School Psychologist, Derry Township School District, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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Dr. Jason A. Pedersen
Dr. Jason A. Pedersen, NCSP, serves as a school psychologist in the Derry Township School District (DTSD) in Hershey, Pennsylvania. A nationally recognized leader in the field, he was named the 2023 School Psychologist of the Year by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and currently serves as NASP’s President-Elect.
Dr. Pedersen has led districtwide efforts in the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), and trauma-informed practices, particularly in response to students’ return to school following COVID-19. A sought-after speaker, he has presented nationally on topics including data teaming, MTSS, PBIS, SEL, and the integration of artificial intelligence in school psychology.
He is a co-author of chapters on data analysis teaming in the Best Practices in School Psychology 5th and 6th Editions, and the sole author of the chapter on this topic in the 7th Edition. He also co-authored the book The Data-Driven School: Collaborating to Improve Student Outcomes, further demonstrating his commitment to advancing school systems through data-informed decision-making and collaboration.
Why MTSS is a high-value, prevention-first framework—and how strategic leadership, clean data practices, and aligned systems deliver measurable academic/behavior outcomes and better ROI.
Key takeaways
MTSS = proactive, data-informed support across academics, behavior, and SEL.
The Hidden Child: Recognizing, Supporting, and Using Technology for Reserve Connected Students
Dominic Cirincione
Motivational Speaker, Military Family Advocate, and Certified Career Coach
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Dominic Cirincione
“Dominic Cirincione is a motivational speaker, Military Family Advocate, and certified career coach who specializes in quality of life for geographically dispersed Military Families. As a decorated combat veteran, military spouse, and father, Dominic brings unique perspectives gained from his experience to organizations dedicated to supporting military families, empowering agencies to unleash the untapped potential of unique demographics and truly make a difference across the DoD enterprise. Using real-world examples, top level research and storytelling, Dominic sheds light on how the invaluable talent each person brings to your organization can positively impact our military families around the world.
Dominic has earned several significant awards to include Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA) that he shares a fraternity with other recipients such as John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Bill Clinton, and Vice Presidents Al Gore, Dan Quayle, and Richard Cheney to name a few. He has also been awarded the DoD Reserve Family Readiness Award three times in six years. Dominic’s career has been a model of service recognized with awards and decorations, and he has been a speaker for over 100K Deploying Soldiers and Families and has presented the importance of Building Healthy Military Communities to the US Senate. Dominic shows each audience how to reconnect with what matters most so they can achieve any result, all while serving America’s Greatest Customers.”
Shines a light on Reserve-connected students—often “invisible” in civilian-leaning schools—and the flexible, tech-enabled supports that help them thrive.
Key takeaways
Who they are and why they’re missed: part-time service patterns, fewer peers with similar experiences, MSI gaps.
Identify & track: Military Student Identifier + enrollment surveys + SIS flags with regular reviews.
Practical supports: validate, communicate, offer flexibility; use recorded lessons, planners, portals/alerts, and mental-health tools.
Try this next:
Audit how you collect MSI data and add an “absence-friendly” workflow (recorded lessons + catch-up check-ins).
Welcome to Youville
Natalya Rice
Federal Trade Commission
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Natalya Rice
Natalya Rice is a staff attorney at the Federal Trade Commission in the Southeast Region. Her work includes investigating and bringing lawsuits against companies and individuals that deceive and defraud consumers. Natalya assists in the FTC’s outreach efforts, including the FTC’s national media campaigns and presenting workshops on spotting and avoiding scams to professional organizations and community groups. Prior to joining the FTC, Natalya worked as a prosecutor in the state of Georgia, most recently serving as an Assistant Attorney General at the Georgia Office of the Attorney General. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law, Florida State University, and North Carolina State University.
A free, standards-based classroom program that helps kids (8–12) build digital literacy — privacy, online safety, ad-savvy, and scam spotting — through 12 downloadable lessons and activities.
This report summarizes strategies from listening sessions addressing the mental health challenges of military-connected students. Through collaboration with NCTSN, MCEC,…
